Rotary brush sweeper and bagger

ABSTRACT

Lawn and parking lot sweepers of the rotary brush type in which sweepings are discharged into bags are known. However, in such sweepers the debris generally is not compressed sufficiently prior to entering the bag. As a result, bags must be changed too frequently. The apparatus herein is provided with a single compression roller having mechanically actuated retractable fins for force filling a compression chamber. Debris from the compression chamber outlet is forced into the bag. Conveying means transport debris from a cylindrical brush or mower outlet to the compression roller.

United States Patent [191 Doering ROTARY BRUSH SWEEPER AND BAGGER [75]Inventor: Charles W. Doering, Louisville, Ky.

[73] Assignee: Brinly-Hardy Co., Inc., Louisville,

[22] Filed: June 30, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 268,064

' [52] US. Cl 15/79, 56/344, 56/364, 100/177 [51] Int. Cl E0lh l/04 [58]Field of Search 100/177, 229 A; 56/364,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,644,292 7/l953 Oberholtzet al. 56/364 2,895,590 7/1959 Snow 56/364 X 3,222,853 l2/l965 Michael100/299 A X Nov. 19, 1974 l0/1966 l0/l967 Farmer l00/l77 Fenster et all00/l77 Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Frank C. Leach, Jr.

[5 7] ABSTRACT Lawn and parking lot sweepers of the rotary brush type inwhich sweepings are discharged into bags are known. However, in suchsweepers the debris generally is not compressed sufficiently prior toentering the bag. As a result, bags must be changed too frequently.

The apparatus herein is provided with a single compression roller havingmechanically actuated retractable fins for force filling a compressionchamber. Debris from the compression chamber outlet is forced into thebag. Conveying means transport debris from a cylindrical brush or moweroutlet to the compression roller.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Pmm xiv 1 9 w 3.849.043

- SHEET 2 0F 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention in one of itsaspects relates to a sweeping apparatus of the cylindrical rotary brushtype, capable of collecting grass cuttings, leaves and the like fromlawns and grass fields. In another aspect the invention pertains to adebris bagger adapted to receive debris directly from mowers and thelike.

In still another of its aspects the invention provides a means fordriving rollers, drums and the like in such equipment.

The apparatus herein can also be converted for thatching byinterchanging the horizontal cylindrical brush with a reel provided withprojecting wire fingers, or a combination of fingers and brush elements.

In a more important aspect the invention pertains to a sweepingapparatus wherein it is unnecessary for the operator of the apparatus toempty a collecting hopper or bin. Sweepings are urged in compacted forminto a disposable or reusable bag.

Lawn sweepers are known in which sweepings are discharged into bags.Such an apparatus is described in U. S. Pat. No. 3,229,320. In thecollecting apparatus shown in 3,229,320 the debris is conveyed byhelical blades to a side outlet having a bagopening pulled over it, thebag being squeezed up in bellows-like fashion. The compressed bag restson an apron having a circular end plate integral with it at its outsideend. The apronplate arrangement is slidable toward and away from thehelical conveyor. To resist lateral movement of the apron away from thehelical blades a spring pressed tooth carried thereby rides in aplurality of inclined teeth. This keeps the bag compressed and offerssome resistance as it is filling. t The sweeper described in US. Pat.No. 3,229,320

overcomes the problem of having to empty a hopper.

It is, however, subject to certaindisadvantages. Thus, the cylindricalsweeping element must rotate quite rapidly in order to throw debris upinto the helix. In addition, even though the tension of the bag fillingresistance element attached to the apron can be varied, debriscompression is still not as great as is desirable.

In accordance with this invention a sweepenbagger is provided, affordinga much greater degree of compression of debris than has been obtainablein existing apparatus. The brush also need not revolve as rapidly in theapparatus herein. In addition, whereas a power unit can be incorporatedin the machine, it operateseffectively without such a unit when pushedby an operator or pulled by a small yard tractor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatus provided herein is adebriscollector for use with a mower or a sweeper or thatcher of therotary brush type. An important feature of the appara compressionroller. A series of compacting fins is provided to move in and out ofthe roller surface. Each fin has one end slidably retained within anorifice and the other end pivotally journaled to the crankshaft. Thefins move in and out through the orifices on rotation of the compressionroller. Means are provided at the axis of the compression roller forimmovably supporting the crankshaft in an off-center position within thecompression roller for maximal outward fin movement through orifices inthe are along the debris conveying means to the base of the debrisconfining chamber, and for maximal inward fin movement in the are fromthe upper portion of the debris confining chamber back to the debrisconveying means. Means are also included for rotating the compressionroller to drive the fins in their orifices. A debris confining chamberis postioned to receive debris forced into it by the compression rollerfins.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention thus provides adebris collector wherein each increment of debris fed into it isconveyed in compact form to a mesh. or film plastic bag of the typeusually used for trash and leaf disposal. The brush operates equallywell whether pulled by a tractor or pushed by hand. However, if desired,a unit can be fitted with its own auxiliary power unit. The cylindricalbrush or broom can be the type normally used for this purpose, having aplurality of discrete brush elements mounted across a cylindricalsleeve. A modification of this brush will also be described. This andother features of the invention will be more fully understood byreference to the accompanying drawings showing several forms of theinvention.

FIG. I is a side elevational view showing the external features of oneform of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial section showing the operation of the compressionunit.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation showing the operation of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a partial view showing the compression roller and fins.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a pickup finger arrangement for the rotarysweeping unit.

FIG. 6 is a partial section showing a compression roller drive means.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of the drive means of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a different embodiment of theinvention.

Referring now further to the drawings, a machine 2 shown in FIG. 1 isprovided with side panels 4 having generally arcuate' top edgessupported on opposite sides of the sweeper by suitable braces (notshown). A curved sheet 6 forms a cover or cage enclosing the front endof the machine. Side panels 4, cover 6, top section 8, and back section9 form the housing for the sweeper. Supporting the housing atits base isa frame or chassis 10. Generally, the chassisis in the form of arectangle lying in a horizontal plane. The rectangle is wider in thedirection of travel.

Since the brush, the compression roller, and the drive means are allanchored to the chassis, this chassis 10, through wheels 12, supportsthe entire machine. Transversely across the front end of the chassis 10a cylindrical brush or thatching element 14 is mounted on a shaft 16.The shaft 16 is journaled in suitable bearings mounted on the chassis10. One end of the shaft 16 extends beyond the chassis in order to carrydriven pulley wheel 20, to be described shortly. To affordinterchangeability from brushing to thatching and ice versa it ispreferred that the brush, brushing element 14 be mounted on a sleeve 15which looks onto the shaft 16.

It will be appreciated that means must be provided for conveying debrisfrom the cylindrical sweeper which includes the brush or thatchingelement 14, to the compression unit. Thus a conveyor belt can pass overa roller positioned adjacent the cylindrical sweeper and carried by thechassis. This belt can pass around a second roller positioned near thecompression unit at 23. Desirably a chute 22 can be used for thispurpose. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the chute 22 is interposed betweenthe sweeper 14 and bottom of a compression roller 30.

Turning now to the compression unit, leaves and other debris are sweptup and deposited on the chute 22. Chute 22 is inclined downwardly fromits forward end adjacent the sweeping brush 14 toward the compressionroller 30. Below the compression roller 30 from 24 to 25 the debrisconveying chute becomes a debris confing chute, spaced from the bottomof the compression roller 30, as shown in FIG. 3. By this arrangement, adebris confining channel 25 is formed between the compression roller 30and the chute 22.

In apparatus such as that described in Ser. No. 195,607, filed Nov. 4,1971, now abandoned debris is compressed between rollers or a roller anda belt. Compression in the apparatus of this invention is accomplishedby compression fins 26, best seen in FIG. 4. A stationary crankshaft 28is rigidly mounted the to chassis 10 to lie eccentrically within thecompression roller 30 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Since the compressionroller hollow drive shaft, slidably surrounds this crankshaft 28 as itpasses through sides of the chassis 10, the crankshaft 28 cannot belocked in the sides of the chassis 10. Accordingly, it is locked in ananchor bar 13 by means of a hub 11 being integral with the bar 13.Suitably journaled on the crankshaft 28 through sleeve bearings 31 arethe fins 26. The fins 26 are thus capable of rotation about thestationary crankshaft 28. Compression roller 30 is provided with aplurality of orifices adapted to receive the free ends of thecompression fins 26. Preferably, seated in the orifices will be bearings32, inserted in the orifices to prevent wearing of orifice and finsurfaces as a result of the coefficient of friction therebetween.

Crankshaft 28 is immovably supported in an offcenter position within thecompression roller 30 so that in their travel in the are along thedebris confining channel, i.e. from 22 to 24, the fins 26 extend throughthe bearings 32 the maximum distance at the start of the debrisconfining channel 25 and then move inwardly in their travel along thedebris confining channel 25. As the fins 26 pass through a debrisconfining chamber 34, and especially under on adjustable forward wall 39thereof, they are flush with the outside cylindrical wall of thecompression roller 30, that is they have moved inwardly the maximumdistance as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a view looking down into thecompression chamber. These various fin positions are readily seen inthis view.

Compression roller 30 is locked on a tubular drive axle 36. The tubularcompression roller drive axle 36 also carries the wheels 12. Becuase ofpositive one directional clutch means 40, the wheels 12 on rotationdrive the compression roller axle 36 and rotate the compression driveroller 30. One clutch means shown as 40 in FIG. 2 includes drive dogs orsimilar slip pawl means affected by gravity so that the roller does notrotate when the rotation of the wheels 12 is reversed. Compressionroller drive axle 36 is carried in suitable bearings 37 mounted on thechassis 10. A particularly desirable drive means is shown in FIGS. 6 and7. A ratchet wheel is rigidly secured to the tubular compression rollerdrive axle 36, and is thus integral with the compression roller 30, thecompression roller 30, being rotated the when ratchet wheel 50 isrotated. A pawl spindle 51 has one of its ends mounted on one of thewheel 12 as shown in FIG. 6 for planetary movement about the ratchetwheel 50. The free end of the pawl spindle 51 is provided with camsurfaces 52, 53 and 54. A pawl element 55 pivotally surrounds the camend of the spindle 51. As can be seen in FIG. 7 the pawl element 55includes a detent 56 and a ring 57 surrounding the spindle 51. A ball 58is urged against one of the cam surfaces by a spring 59 to frictionallylock the detent 56 in one of its three positions. It is apparent fromFIG. 7 that when the detent 56 is disposed with the ball 58 engaging thecam surface 52 the compression roller 30 will be driven counterclockwisewith the counterclockwise orbital movement of the pawl spindle 51.However, by rotating the detent 56 clockwise so that the detent 56 isdisposed with the ball 58 engaging the cam surface 54, the compressionroller 30 can be rotated in a clockwise direction if debris shouldbecome wedged in the channel 25. This clears the obstruction. If desiredto tow the unit, the detent 56 can be disengaged from the ratchet wheel50 so that the compression roller 30 is not driven in either direction.This is accomplished by placing the ball 58 against the cam surface 53.

The brush element driving means will now be described. This element isdriven by the wheels 12. As seen in FIG. 2, the axle 36 also carries adrive pulley wheel 42 provided with a sheave 44. The axle or shaft 16 ofthe brush element 14 has the driven pulley wheel 20 affixed to its endoutside of the side panel 4 of the housing (FIG. 1). A brush drive belt46 passes around and engages the aligned pulley wheels 20 and 42. Belttensioning is controlled and maintained by a wheel 48 slid able in aneye 50' of a plate 52. Tensioning wheel 48 is held by an axle bolt 54.It is to be noted that the belt 46 is crossed to reverse the directionof rotation of the brush or thatching element 14 relative to therotation of the wheels l2.

Various clamping means are available for holding a bag over the housingopening and for suspending its closed end. As described in Ser. No.l95,607, now abandoned bag supporting member 72 desirably will be in theform of a U-frame having substantially parallel side members or legs 83joined together by a crossbar 85 across the top. Linking means such asthe ends of the anchor bars 13 extend upwardly, and the bottom ends ofthe side members 83 are pivotally secured to these by suitable pins sothat the bag supporting frame extends upwardly away from an opening 70.The bag is held in place over the opening by a rigid band 88 carried bythe bag supporting frame legs 83 by means of brackets 89. Rigid band 88extends outwardly from, and is almost perpendicular to, the bagsupporting frame legs 83. The band 88 is either rectangular or round,being the exact shape of the opening 70 so that it is slidablethereover. When the legs or members 83 of the bag supporting frame areurged forward toward the opening 70, the band 88 is lowered over a lip80 seating on a rubber collar. Band 88 is unseated when the bagsupporting frame is lowered away from the opening 70.

Clamping plate 93 holds the other end of a bag 92. A clamping frameextends upwardly and outwardly from the back of the bag supporting frameat an upwardly directed angle thereto as shown in FIG. 1. Clamping plate93 is carried by the clamping frame by means of bolts 101 passingthrough the legs 83 of the bag carrying frame to the front side. Behindand adjacent the clamping plate 93 are bag retaining members orrods 82integral with legs 83 of a bag supporting frame. Coil spring 103 and asimilar one not shown surrounding the clamp bolts 101 urge a clampingframe crossbar 100 away from the bag supporting frame crossbar 85. Thissecurely holds the clamping plate 93 in its normal position against thebag supporting frame member 72.

It will be apparent that locking braces or similar means must be used tohold the bag supporting frame in position when the band 88 is seatedover the opening 70. A preferred means for accomplishing this is toemploy a retaining rod 106. By means of a tab 107 on the housing, therod 106 is connected to the housing to pivot so that its free upper endswings over and engages the crossbar 85 of the bag supporting frame. Anyreleasable latching means 108 can be used to hold the retaining rod 106and the supporting frame together. Desirably a roll holder will beinstalled across arms 98 of the clamping frame below the crossbar 100 tohold a roll 109 of plastic bags.

In operation, the bag 92 is looked over the opening 70 as described inconjunction with FIGS. 1 and 3, and the machine is ready for use. Aswill be seen, a small model can be made to be pushed by the operator.However, generally a braced tongue 74 is attached to the frame at thefront of the housing. A latch type of hitch will be provided on thetongue so that the machine can be connected to a small tractor or othervehicle. The sweeper unit which includes the brush or thatching elernent14, is set to the desired height by a lever 77. Tongue 74 is jointed atthe base 79 of the lever 77. This and a pivotal tractor connectionpermit the unit to be bent upwardly at 79 relative to the wheels 12 andthe tractor hitch to raise the brush element 14. The height is adjustedby a lever 78.

When the machine is pulled forward, the wheels 12 through the one-wayclutch means 40 bring about a counterclockwise rotation of the pulleywheel 42. This wheel frictionally drives belt 46, and thereby rotatesthe brush element 14 in a clockwise direction.

It can be seen that clockwise rotation of the brush element 14 liftsdebris at the front end of the machine (FIG. 3), and discharges thedebris down the chute 22. Debris sliding down the chute 22 passes intothe debris channel 25 under the compression roller 30. Debris is forcedthrough the chute 25 by the fins 26 as the compression roller 30 isdriven by the rotation of the wheels 12.

As the sweeper continues to operate, the debris compression chamber 34fills up. It has been found that the fins 26, operating as-shown in FIG.4, impart a rolling action to the debris as shown in FIG. 8. As a resultof this action, the debris is tumbled into numerous tight rolls as seenat 114. Due to gravitational forces, these rolls lie side by side andthe debris is extremely well compacted in the compression chamber 34.The rolls of debris continue accumulating in the debris confiningchamber 34 as debris is forced in by the fins 26. The rolls of debrisare ultimately force through the opening by increments of debrisentering the compression chamber 34 beneath it. In compacted form, thedebris is gradually lifted insuccessive layers into the bag 92 until thebag is crammed full.

This invention thus provides a sweeper which makes possible a highdegree of compaction of debris. The debris bags do not have to bechanged frequently, and compression of debris is achieved with verylittle power input. It will be appreciated that various embodiments ofthis invention are possible within the spirit thereof. In its mostimportant variation the invention contemplates a debris collector andcompressor operating without a brush. For instance a collector of thetype with a chute but no brush as shown in FIG. 4 can be positioned toreceive grass cuttings from a lawn mower. It can be used to bale hay. Inaddition one or more lawn mowers can be provided with tubes 112 feedinggrass cuttings and leaves to the chute 22 of the apparatus as shown inFIG. 8. The debris collector can be placed directly behind a tractor orriding mower with a curved tube leading to the debris collector, or thedebris collector can be positioned directly behind the mowing unit. Inanother embodiment of the invention, sprockets, a drive chain, and anidler gear can be employed in lieu of the pulleys and belt as the brushelement drive means. As another example, instead of the cover 6,upwardly extending shields or deflecting plates can be used, leaving theconveying means exposed from the top.

As another of its embodiments, the invention contemplates that the fins26 and the compression roller 30 can be made of any rigid material suchas metal, plastic or wood, or combinations of these materials. Likewisethe tin bearings 32 can be roller bearings, plastic sleeve bearings,etc. It will also be obvious that variously shaped fins can be used.Instead of the fins 26 being plates, rods or strips can be used. Thefins 26 are now arranged in rows spaced around the periphery ofcompression roller 30 as seen in FIG. 4. If the fins 26 are in the formof fingers or strips, they can, be closer together. Arcuate plates,curved inwardly away from the directon of travel, can also be employed.Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5. In this viewarcuately arranged sweeping and thatching elements are shown. Sweepingelements which are arranged in an arc across the surface of thecylindrical sleeve on which they are mounted direct debris toward thecenter of the brush element and hence to the center of the chute 22. Inaddition, a thatching unit can be used instead of a sweeping unit oralternate straight or arcuate rows of each can be employed. However itwill generally not be necessary to do so. These and other variationswill occur to those skilled in the art. Such ramifications are deemed tobe within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for collecting debris including:

a frame having wheels to support said frame;

a housing supported by said frame;

said housing having means to receive debris; means disposed within saidhousing to compress debris received by said receiving means; saidcompression means includes:

means cooperating with said housing to form a debris confining channeland a debris confining chamber within said housing, said debrisconfining channel being between said receiving means and said debrisconfining chamber and communieating with each; and rotatable meansincluding angularly spaced elements advancing the debris from saidreceiving means to said debris confining chamber and from said debrisconfining chamber to said debris confining chamber by each of saidelements advancing from said receiving means to said debris confiningchamber, from said debris confining chamber to said debris confiningchamber, and from said debris confining chamber to said receiving means;each of said elements cooperating with said cooperating means when eachof said elements advances from said debris confining chamber to saiddebris confining chamber to reduce the extension of each of saidelements in said debris confining chamber as each of said elementsadvances through said debris confining chamber; means to operate saidrotatable means;

said debris confining chamber having an outlet adapted to receive adebris containing device; and said debris confining chamber having anincreasing and fixed cross sectional area toward said outlet. 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1 including: means to pick-up debris, saidpick-up means being supported by said frame; and said pick-up meansbeing driven by said operating means when said rotatable means isoperated.

3. An apparatus for collecting debris including:

a chassis, two wheels journaled in said chassis on opposite sidesthereof and mounted with their axes across the line of travel;

a compression unit including:

a hollow cylindrical compression roller mounted on said chassis forrotation about a horizontal axis, sad roller having a series ofcircumferentially spaced orifices through the cylindrical surfacethereof;

a debris confining chute spaced from the bottom of the compressionroller and forming a debris confining channel therebetween to receivedebris for compression therein when the debris passes therethrough;

a series of compacting fins, each fin having one end slidably retainedwithin one of said orifices;

and means cooperating with said fins to move said fins in and outthrough said orifices on rotation of said compression roller;

a debris confining chamber positioned to receive debris forced into itfrom said debris confining channel by said compression roller fins;

said cooperating means of said compression unit causing maximum outwardfin movement through said orifices adjacent the entrance of said debrisconfining channel and then inward movement of each of said fins duringits movement along said debris confining channel and into said debrisconfining chamber, said cooperating means of said compression unitcausing maximum inward movement of each of said fins in said debrisconfining chamber and then outward movement of each of said fins as itleaves said debris confining chamber;

means for rotating said compression roller to drive said fins in theirorifices and to move said fins through said debris confining channel andsaid debris confining chamber;

and said debris confining chamber having an outlet adapted to receive adebris containing device.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 in which: said cooperating meansof said compression unit includes: a

a stationary crankshaft rigidly mounted on said chassis to lieeccentrically within said compression roller;

and means disposed at the axis of rotation of said compression rollerfor immovably supporting said cranksahft within said compression rollerin an off-center position to produce the maximum outward fin movementthrough said orifices.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 in which: said means for rotatingsaid compression roller comprises at least one ratchet wheel meansconnected to said compression roller, said ratchet wheel means beingcapable of rotating said compression roller;

and three-position spring pawl means connected to at least one of saidwheels and carried thereby for planetary movement about said ratchetwheel means, said pawl means including a pawl capable of engaging anddriving said ratchet wheel means, the three pawl positions of said pawlmeans being a forward drive, a reverse drive, and a neutral position.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3 including means for attaching adisposal bag to the debris outlet of said debris confining chamber, andmeans for carrying the bag in a position to be force filled from saidoutlet.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3 including a rotary sweepingelement and said sweeping element and said compression roller are drivenby the rotation of said wheels.

8. The apparatus according to claim 3 in which said cooperating means ofsaid compression unit includes means to cause the maximum outwardmovement of each of said fins to be from the maximum inward movement ofeach of said fins.

debris confining chamber has an increasing and fixed cross sectionalarea toward said outlet.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Patent No.

Dat November 19, 1974 Inventor(s) Charles W. Doering Page 1 0f 2 It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the title of invention, cancel "ROTARY BRUSH SWEEPER AND BAGGER" andSubstitute DEBRIS COLLECTING APPARATUS Column 2, line Column 3, lineline line

line

line

line

line

line

Column 4, line line line

Column 6, line 21, "The" should read This 4, "ice" should read vice 5,after "versa" insert a comma 24, after "'25" insert a comma 25,"confing" should read confining 30, after "abandoned" insert a comma 34,"the to" should read to the 37, cancel the "comma" 55 "22" should read25 13, cancel the "comma", last occurrence 14, "the when" should readwhen the 16, "wheel" should read wheels cancel the *"comma", secondoccurrence UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PatentN Dated November 19,

Charles W. Doering Page 2 of 2 Inventor-(s) It is certified that errorappears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

Column 7, lines 29 and 30 should be indented the same as lines 31 and32, respectively line 47, "sad" should read said Column 8, line 22"cranksahft" should read crankshaft Signed and Scaled thistwenty-seventh Day Of April1976 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting ()llf'icer (mmnissimu'ruj'larenls and Trademarks

1. An apparatus for collecting debris including: a frame having wheelsto support said frame; a housing supported by said frame; said housinghaving means to receive debris; means disposed within said housing tocompress debris received by said receiving means; said compression meansincludes: means cooperating with said housing to form a debris confiningchannel and a debris confining chamber within said housing, said debrisconfining channel being between said receiving means and said debrisconfining chamber and communicating with each; and rotatable meansincluding angularly spaced elements advancing the debris from saidreceiving means to said debris confining chamber and from said debrisconfining chamber to said debris confining chamber by each of saidelements advancing from said receiving means to said debris confiningchamber, from said debris confining chamber to said debris confiningchamber, and from said debris confining chamber to said receiving means;each of said elements cooperating with said cooperating means when eachof said elements advances from said debris confining chamber to saiddebris confining chamber to reduce the extension of each of saidelements in said debris confining chamber as each of said elementsadvances through said debris confining chamber; means to operate saidrotatable means; said debris confining chamber having an outlet adaptedto receive a debris containing device; and said debris confining chamberhaving an increasing and fixed cross sectional area toward said outlet.2. The apparatus according to claim 1 including: means to pick-updebris, said pick-up means being supported by said frame; and saidpick-up means being driven by said operating means when said rotatablemeans is operated.
 3. An apparatus for collecting debris including: achassis, two wheels journaled in said chassis on opposite sides thereofand mounted with their axes across the line of travel; a compressionunit including: a hollow cylindrical compression roller mounted on saidchassis for rotation about a horizontal axis, sad roller having a seriesof circumferentially spaced orifices through the cylindrical surfacethereof; a debris confining chute spaced from the bottom of thecompression roller and forming a debris confIning channel therebetweento receive debris for compression therein when the debris passestherethrough; a series of compacting fins, each fin having one endslidably retained within one of said orifices; and means cooperatingwith said fins to move said fins in and out through said orifices onrotation of said compression roller; a debris confining chamberpositioned to receive debris forced into it from said debris confiningchannel by said compression roller fins; said cooperating means of saidcompression unit causing maximum outward fin movement through saidorifices adjacent the entrance of said debris confining channel and theninward movement of each of said fins during its movement along saiddebris confining channel and into said debris confining chamber, saidcooperating means of said compression unit causing maximum inwardmovement of each of said fins in said debris confining chamber and thenoutward movement of each of said fins as it leaves said debris confiningchamber; means for rotating said compression roller to drive said finsin their orifices and to move said fins through said debris confiningchannel and said debris confining chamber; and said debris confiningchamber having an outlet adapted to receive a debris containing device.4. The apparatus according to claim 3 in which: said cooperating meansof said compression unit includes: a stationary crankshaft rigidlymounted on said chassis to lie eccentrically within said compressionroller; and means disposed at the axis of rotation of said compressionroller for immovably supporting said cranksahft within said compressionroller in an off-center position to produce the maximum outward finmovement through said orifices.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4 inwhich: sa;d means for rotating said compression roller comprises atleast one ratchet wheel means connected to said compression roller, saidratchet wheel means being capable of rotating said compression roller;and three-position spring pawl means connected to at least one of saidwheels and carried thereby for planetary movement about said ratchetwheel means, said pawl means including a pawl capable of engaging anddriving said ratchet wheel means, the three pawl positions of said pawlmeans being a forward drive, a reverse drive, and a neutral position. 6.The apparatus according to claim 3 including means for attaching adisposal bag to the debris outlet of said debris confining chamber, andmeans for carrying the bag in a position to be force filled from saidoutlet.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 3 including a rotarysweeping element and said sweeping element and said compression rollerare driven by the rotation of said wheels.
 8. The apparatus according toclaim 3 in which said cooperating means of said compression unitincludes means to cause the maximum outward movement of each of saidfins to be 180* from the maximum inward movement of each of said fins.9. The apparatus according to claim 3 in which: said means for rotatingsaid compression roller comprises at least one ratchet wheel meansconnected to said compression roller, said ratchet wheel means beingcapable of rotating said compression roller; and pawl means connected toat least one of said wheels and carried thereby for planetary movementabout said ratchet wheel means, said pawl means including a pawl capableof engaging and driving said ratchet wheel means.
 10. The apparatusaccording to claim 3 in which said debris confining chamber has anincreasing and fixed cross sectional area toward said outlet.